Dispatch system



J. H. RAND. DISPATCH SYSTEM. FILED JAN. 18, 1922. 2 SHEETS'SHEET I J. H. RAND. DISPATCH SYSTEM. FILED JAN. 18. 1922.

Jan. 36, 1923. 1,443,758

2 SHEETS'SHEET 2 Fat-exited Jan. 36, 1923.

UNEHE srAras r FFICE.

P T E DISPATCH SYSTEM.

Application filed January 18, 1922. Serial No. 530,096.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. RAND, a citizen of the United States, and resident of North Tonawanda, in the county of Niagara and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Dispatch ;Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus adapted to be used in the receipt, handling, distribution at, and dispatch from a central office or station, of articles, papers, or

money; the making of change, the authorization or record, or both, of charge transactions noted on memoranda received, and in general to the expedition of such transactions as are desirably centralized in one office of an organization such as a. large depart ment store or other establishment requiring the rapid dispatch to and from a central point of articles, papers, or money, the inspection, exchange or operatlon upon the thing despatched and the return to outlying station of the results of such operations.

The invention is adapted therefore to practice with a carrier dispatch system having a central multiple receiving and despatching station serving a plurality of outlying stations. For the purpose of illustratmg the genus constituting the invention a typical installation in a. large department store having a number of departments served by incoming and outgoing conveyer lines, preferably pneumatic tubes, converging at a central station will be shown and described.

Attempts have been made in the interest of flexibility, economy, speed and accuracy to improve the old central station arrangement in which the receiving and despatching terminals of the carrier system were grouped in combined receiving and despatching units each attended by an operator .who actedv both as cashier and despatcher, and often as credit authorizer as Well. These attempts, while successful to a considerable degree in attaining the desired results, have invariably produced mechanism which is complicated, expensive to install and to keep in operation, and uneconomical of space.

Principal objects of the invention are to provide central station apparatus of greater simplicity and reliability, to reduce the amount of space required for such apparatus, to provide for reducing or increasing the number of operators in proportion to fluctuations in the number of carriers in use, to facilitate the despatchin'g of carriers by forwarding them alreadyclassified to a despatching clerk, and in general to improve prior devices of this character. v

The invention comprises a rotatable structure having receiving surfaces for incoming and outgoing carriers respectively. This structure or table is preferably annular in form to define a free inner space which may be used as the despatchingstation. The carrier terminals are arranged in annular series concentric with the structure, the receiving terminals being preferably disposed above the rotating structure. Means are provided for directing the incoming carriers from the receiving terminals and the outgoing carriers deposited on the structure by the operators to the opposite edges of structure. The preferred means for accomplishing this result comprise inclined surfaces or shelves. A plurality of such surfaces are provided for the outgoing carriers to permit the ready sorting and assembling of the same in separate receptacles according to the location ofthe outlying station to which they are to go. i

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a central station embodying the features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on the 1; and a Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 The particular embodiment of theinvention shown for the purpose of illustration line 44 of Fig.

comprises a rotatable structure or table A. This structure is preferably annular in form and provides an open centrally disposed space B which is used as the station for the despatching operator. Structure A has an annular frame comprising beams 5 and 6, connected at 'intervals b radially disposed beams-6 and vertically isposed supporting posts 7 fast on the beams 6 (Fig. 4). As shown in Fig. 5 the sides of posts 7 are outwardly beveled for a purpose to-be later described. Disposed in spaced relation upon these posts'are annular receiving surfaces or shelves 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Supported above shelf 12 in any suitable manner as by boards 13 and 14 is another receiving. surface or shelf 15 which is outwardly and downwardly inclined and terminates in .an annular overhanging rail 16 hollowed on its inner side to form a trough 17 Any suitable means for movably support ing and rotating'the structure A may be provided. The form shown in the illustration comprises depending brackets 18 attached to beams 5 and 6 at suitable intervals around the structure and providing bearings 19 for shafts 20 which have oppositely flanged wheels 21 traveling on rails 22. The means for driving the structure may comprise an electric motor 23 supported in any suitable manner on the structure and driving one of the shafts 20 as by means of a worm gear 24 and a suitable train of gearing including worm 25 and spur gears 26 and 27. Current may be provided for the motor by means of a third rail 28.

A circular stationary inner wall 29 having braces 30 closes the inner peripher, of the-structure. Attached to the wall 29' are receptacles 31, four in number in this case, to correspond to shelves 8, 9, 10 and 11 which are inclined inwardly and down to deliver by gravity outgoing carriers to receptacles 31 through openings 32 in walls 29 disposed above the receptacles. "The lower portion of the outer periphery of the structure A is enclosed'by a base board 33.

The terminals of the carrier system are preferably disposed in circular series concentric with the structure A, the receivingterminals C delivering the incoming carriers directly upon upper shelf 15 which may be rovided with a layer of compressible resi ient material 34 to deaden the impact of the carriers and to check their speed as they.

V slide by gravity into trough 17. The despatching terminals D extend inwardly of the central space B adjacent to the receptacles 31 in a convenient position for the despatching operator.

Access is gained to space B by means of the bridge E, comprising angularly disposed uprights 35 with cross pieces 36 thereon forming steps, the uprights being connected by a plate 37 V bridging structure A. Bridge E is provided with a suitable guard rail 38. Arranged about the outer circumference of structure A are a plurality of desks 39 for the cashiers or credit authorizers. Each desk may be provided with a chair 40, a coin change device 41, a till 42 for paper money, and an index 43.

The operation of the device is as follows: Structure A is slowly rotated by its motor 23 in the direction of arrow a of Fig. 1. The incoming carriers from the receiving terminal 0 fall upon the inclined receiving surface 15 and gravitateto the trough 17. As structure A rotates past desks 39, the operators take the carriers from the trough 17, make change or authorize the credit slips and then place the carriers upon the inwardly inclined shelves 8, 9, 10 and 11' corresponding to the floor or section of the establishment in which the outlying stations from which the carriers came are located. By reason of the inward and downward incllnation of the receiving surfaces 8, 9, 10 and 11 for the outgoing carriers, the latter gravitate until they contact the inner wall 29, the beveled outwardly disposed edges of posts 7 preventing the carriers from being caught and held thereby. The carriers are conveyed around by the rotation of structure A until they drop through openings 32 into receptacles 31, whence they are taken by the despatching-operator in space B and sent out through the proper despatching tubes D. I

The herein described structure is of extreme flexibility of operation. For example, if the business is light and incoming receptacles few, a single cashier or operator may attend to all the incoming carriers, both as to making the change and authorizing the .marks or colors being used to distinguish cash from credit transactions.

The use of a plurality ofreceiving shelves for outgoing carriers permits the cashiers and credit authorizers to sort the carriers by placing them upon the proper shelves. This saves much time indespatching since the destination of each carrier is indicated to the despatching operator by the receptacle from which the carrier is taken.

The arrangement of receiving and despatchingterminals in concentric series with the carrier operators grouped thereaboutf and the despatching operator within the circ'le, reduces to a marked degree. the amount of space required to accommodate the apparatus and the operatives in large carrier dispatch systems and the compactness of the grouping permits rapid handling of the carriers. While the invention has been illus trated in connection with a pneumatic carrier system, changes of a minor character only are necessary to adaptthe herein (115- closed apparatus to use withany type of carrier dispatch system without departing from the purpose and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising an annular structure having a receivin surface for incoming carriers and a receiving surface for outgoing carriers.

2. A central stat-ion for carrier dispatch systems comprising an annular structure having an inwardly and downwardly inclined surface for carriers whereby the latter gravitate to the inner periphery of said structure.

3. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising an annular structure having spaced receiving surfaces for incoming and outgoing carriers. g

4. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising an annular structure having spaced oppositely inclined receiving surfaces for incoming and outgoing carriers.

5. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising a rotatable structure having a receiving surface for incoming car riers and a receiving surface for outgoing carriers.

6. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising a rotatable annular structure having a central open space and an outwardly and downwardly inclined surface for receiving carriers and delivering them to the outer periphery of the structure.

7. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising a rotatable annular structure having an inwardly and downwardly inclined surface for carriers whereby the latter gravitate to the inner periphery of said structure.

8. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising a rotatable annular structure having spaced receiving surfaces for incoming and outgoing carriers.

9. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising a rotatable annular structure having spaced oppositely inclined receiving surfaces for incoming and outgoing carriers.

10. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising a rotatable annular structure having vertically spaced, oppositely inclined receiving surfaces for incoming and outgoing carriers.

11. A central station for carrier dispatch systems having a series of carrier receiving terminals each adapted to deliver incoming carriers, and an annular carrier receiving surface providing an open central space and adapted to deliver carriers to the outer periphery of the annular surface.

12. A central station for carrier dispatch systems having therein at one place a series of carrier receiving terminals and at another place a series of carrier dispatch terminals, an annular structure disposed beneath the receiving terminals, means for rotating saidstructure, means on said structure for receiving incoming carriers from the receiving terminals and disposing them at the outer periphery of said-structure, and means on said structure for receiving outgoing carriers and disposing-them at the inner periphery of said structure for the operator at the dispatch terminals.

13. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising an annular structure, a series of carrier dispatch terminals centrally positioned relative to said structure, and means on said structure. for receiving outgoing carriers and disposing them at the inner periphery of said structure for an operator in the central space to dispatch through said terminals.

14. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising an annular structure, a series of carrier dispatch terminals centrally positioned relative to said structure,

means to rotate said structure, and an in-' wardly and downwardly inclined surface on said structure for receiving outgoing carriers and disposing them at the inner periphery of said structure for an operator in the central space to dispatch through said terminals.

15. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising an annular structure, a series of carrier dispatch terminals centrally positioned relative to said structure, means to rotate said structure and a plurality of inwardly and downwardly inclined surfaces on said structure for receiving outgoing carriers and disposing them at the inner periphery of said structure for an operator in the central space to dispatch through said terminals.

16. A central station for'carrier dispatch systems comprising an annular member for receiving carriers, means for rotating said member, and means on said member for delivering carriers received thereby within the central space defined by said member.

17. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising an annular member defining a. central space for receiving carriers, means for rotating said member, a receptacle'in said space, and means for causing carriers received on said member to, enter said receptacle. a

18. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising an annular member defining a central space for receiving carriers,

means for rotating said member, a plurality,

of receptacles in said space, and means for systems comprising an annular rotatable table, means for rotating said table, a stationary circular Wall adjacent the inner periphery of said table having an opening therein, a receptacle beneath said opening, and an inwardly and downwardly inclined carrier-receiving surface on said table for causing carriers to pass through said opening and drop into said receptable.

20. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising an annular rotatable table, means for rotating said table, a stationary circular wall adjacent the inner periphery of said table, a plurality of receptacles attached to the inner face of said wall and vertically spaced, said wall having openings above said receptacles, and a corresponding number of annular shelves on said table adapted to cause carriersreceived thereon to pass through said openings and enter said receptacles. I

21. A central station for CaIIlGRZiISPatC-ll systems comprising an annular rota-table table, means for rotating said table, a stationary circular wall adiacent the inner periphery'of said table, a plurality of receptacles attached to the inner face of sad Wall and circumferentially spaced openings in said Wall above said receptacles, and a corresponding number of annular shelves on said table adapted to cause carriers received thereon to pass through said openings and enter said receptacles.

22. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising an annular rotatable table, means for rotatin said table, a stationary circular wall ad acent the inner pejripheryof said table, a plurality of receptacles attached to the inner face of said wall and vertically and 'circumferentially spaced openings in said Wall above said receptacles, and a corresponding number of annular shelves on said table adapted to cause carriers received thereon to pass through said openings and enter said receptacles.

23. A central station in a carrier dispatch system comprising a series of receiving terminals arcuately arranged, a series of despatching terminals arranged inwardly of the first series, an annular rotatable structure disposed beneath said receiving terminals, and means on said structure for delivering carriers from said receiving terminals at the outer edge of said structure Where they are accessible to an operator outside said, structure, and for delivering all carriers placed thereon by said operator at the inner edge of said structure where they are accessible to a despatching operator Within said structure.

24. A central station in a carrier dispatch system comprising series of receiving and despatching terminals concentrically disposed, and'an annular rotatable structure concentrically disposed relative to said terminals having means thereon for delivering all carriers received thereby from the re ceiving terminals at one edge of said structure and all carriers received hereby for the despatching terminals at the other edge.

25. A central station for carrier dispatch systems comprising an annular structure,

'operators stations within and without said structure, and means on said structure for conveying carriers deposited thereon to the stations on both sides thereof.

Signed by me at Boston, Mass, this 10th day of January, 1922.

JAMES H. RAND, 

